First things first… I’m having computer problems these days so this will be my last blog post until said problems are resolved but you can always see my daily art on Facebook or Instagram.

Second, even though my blog title says tangrams, I’m starting with a mandala that I made yesterday.

Third, here are some tangrams my students made during our fine motor activity. I printed the shapes from this website on cardstock and cut only around the square they formed. I had the students work on their scissor skills by cutting the pieces on their own. I noticed that instead of cutting the middle line to separate some pieces, they all cut each shape out individually. When all the pieces were cut and the scissors put away, they got to play with their tangrams by reproducing patterns I had printed out. Some of the patterns are in different colors because they come from this website. Each student left with their own little cardstock tangram in a little bag. In order for them to redo the activity, I gave them each a piece of paper on which I had printed the two website addresses I used.

Finally, inspired by today’s activity and this pin on Pinterest, I made my very own tangram stamps from a 2″ square of carving material. Fun!

Hopefully, I’ll be back soon on the blog… Until then, thanks for visiting!

Tonight was the first night of our local street theatre festival which occurs annually. I try to go see at least one show each year. This time, I was able to see 5 shows already. Of the 5, I really liked the first, a synchronized performance of two “supermarket cashiers”, and the last, a combination of tango and fire. I least enjoyed the improv show and found interesting the street performance (4 people dressed in black with yellow lines, literally performing as a moving street), and the orchestra of crows which you can see a bit in this low quality photo:

And inspired by tonight’s shows, I made this really quick drawing in less than 5 minutes.

After a long day of meeting after meeting at work and 3 hours of watching street theatre, I’m too tired to do anything more. So good night and thanks for visiting.

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My blogging muscle is a little sore so forgive my clumsiness but lo and behold! I’m back! Yes, I have decided that 2016 is the year to bring back blogging. I know that some of my friends miss it too and hopefully this will encourage them to get back to the blogosphere with me.

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Life. It can change in the blink of an eye or it can take its sweet time. A lot of things have changed in the past few years. And many things are still the same. I have both changed and stayed the same. I know that I cannot keep doing things the same way I did 5 years ago. And that’s ok. I am ok. I want to keep this blog and to post again. But I am giving myself permission to post when I want and about what I want. I know this is all very vague and I’m keeping it this way because I believe in privacy even in this era of social media cult. Let’s just say I’ve been through some tough times but now I’m better. And maybe by posting via my phone, I will blog more often. We’ll see.

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The last few years haven’t been very good for this blog. But it doesn’t mean that I haven’t been creative.

This past year might not have been my most creative one but I still managed to play in my art journal a few times outside of my mixed media classes (which I love attending!) I also got sucked into the Rainbow Loom madness, mostly because of the students I was working with at the time. But other than that and a bit of doodling, not much has been accomplished in the arts and crafts section of my life. It is sad but understandable considering that I never completely unpacked all my supplies and set up my studio in the almost 3 years that I’ve been living here. But that will change. I intend to move and downsize my supplies. I have way too much stuff, like a lot of people I know, and I don’t even use half of it. I already started. Slowly. It is quite surprising how hard it has become to simply put a pile of paper/magazines in the recycling bin. Or to throw away a leftover piece of ribbon or yarn. Anything can be used in mixed media. That is, if you actually DO some mixed media, not just gather material for it.

For a few years now, I have been picking a word or two to focus on throughout the year. Some of the previous words have been: fresh, simplicity, balance, move, renew. This year, I chose two words: Flow and Free. I want to feel the flow of energy and air, wear flowy skirts, go with the flow. I want to free myself of negative thoughts, things and people, take advantage of free activities and feel more free. And I knew I had chosen the right words when I found this: Flow: The 30 day journal project from Lisa Sonora (and it’s free too!) Coincidence? I think not!

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Almost 4 months since I last wrote… So much for getting back to the blogging habit…

I have no excuse, as always.

The school year ends in less than 2 months and let me tell you, I’m really looking forward to my summer vacation! Not that I have anything planned. And not that I don’t like my job. Because I do. Love my job, that is. But it has been a trying year at work.

Art wise, I’ve been creating in small bursts. My mother and I attend an art journaling club every month (except for this month) where we make a double-page spread with that month’s technique or supplies. It’s fun to be surrounded by like-minded artists.

Today’s photo is from my “doodle” journal. Following Joanne Sharpe’s book, I doodled and coloured a positive message to myself. There will be more for sure.

I’ve been quite busy over the past couple of weeks. Exploring the city and its many activities. Hanging out with family and friends as well as taking some time to myself.

Over the weekend, I went to a free event called Orientalys. All things oriental. I had some henna done on my right hand, ate Moroccan and Lebanese delights and watched some amazing belly dance and Bollywood performances. A feast for the senses, really! I’m more in love with belly dancing and Bollywood than ever before! And I’m thinking of learning to do henna body art. Because of a health issue, I probably won’t get any more tattoos so henna is a really good alternative (and I could turn it into a side job if I get really good at it!)

On the creativity front, things are looking up. I’ve played in my art journals a few times, sewed some Kool Kreatures, created a mixed media canvas (photos to come) and started getting back into making friendship bracelets.